Watermelon Insects

Watermelon Insects

Seed Corn Maggot

Legless maggots attack seeds before or shortly after germination. No chemical control is listed.

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Spotted cucumber beetle is yellow-green with 12 black spots on its back. The adults feed on young plants and larvae feed on the roots. High populations stunt or kill plants. Use sprays of Malathion(1) or Rotenone(1). Sevin dust may be used but be sure to read precautionary statements.

Striped Cucumber Beetle

Striped cucumber beetle is yellow with black stripes and is a carrier for bacterial wilt. Plants are infected when the beetles feed. The insects may dig for emerging sprouts. Use sprays of Rotenone(1) or Malathion(1). Applications of Sevin dust may be used but be sure to read any precautionary statements.

Thrips are small, cream to brownish insects which rasp the undersides of leaves. The feeding causes deterioration of vines stressed from maturing the crop or by other factors. The damage is worse in dry seasons. Thrips are controlled with sprays of Diazinon(3).